Pitching depth the strength for 2014 Bulldogs
If all goes according to plan, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College should make a fourth straight trip to the post season thanks to a talented and experienced pitching staff.
In 2014 six sophomores are retuning that spent quality innings on the mound for the Bulldogs last season including starters Taylor Olsen (5-2, 3.53 ERA, 34 K in 2013) and Cam Cochran (9-2, 2.22 ERA, 43 K in 2013). Fellow sophomores Kyle Cumlander (2.33 ERA in 2013), Ryne Long (2-0, 3.50 ERA in 2013), and Chris Wease (2-1 in 2013) will also figure heavily in the Gulf Coast rotation along with incoming freshmen Chase Blackwell (Gulfport) and James Levens (Long Beach).
"We've got a little bit of everything for this year's rotation," said Gary Rath, who's entering his fifth season as the team's head coach. "The guys we have this spring can work deep into games and also give us options for middle and long relief. That's always a plus when we get into the grind of the season. Many of our non-conference games this year will be nine inning affairs, so pitching depth will be at a premium."
On offense, Long and Quave will be joined by Richie Clark (Long Beach), James Land (HCHC), and Adam Cagnina (LSU-Eunice transfer) on offense. Transfer catcher Hunter Black (Pensacola State) and Sophomore CF Garrett Odom (Pascagoula) will provide veteran defensive support in the field.
"We've got a great group of returning players this season from the 2013 squad that ranked as high as 15th in the NJCAA poll last season and a huge amount of freshmen coming in to compete for playing time," Rath added.
The 2014 regular season begins with a home doubleheader against Faulkner State Wednesday, Feb. 5.
